<p>Almost no health insurance plans in my area cover wisdom teeth extractions, impacted or not. I am hard pressed to think of any of my patients that had health insurance coverage for this. Dental plans generally cover a percentage up to the annual maximum and the rest is paid out of pocket.</p>
<p>We were in NJ when both kids had their wisdom teeth out. The oral surgeon filed claims to both dental and health insurance. We had to pay very little.</p>
<p>If there is any bleeding, brew a very strong cup of black tea, let it cool, soak a gauze in it and use that for compression on the gums.</p>
<p>According to DD’s surgeon, after an 11PM call after the surgery, a chemical in tea (caffeine?) acts as a vasoconstrictor, and will help stop the bleeding.</p>
<p>Our insurance covered a portion of the wisdom teeth extractions. Our D enjoyed eating smoothies with a spoon for several days after the extraction. She carefully followed the oral surgeon’s advice to minimize the chance of painful dry socket vfortunately she recovered pretty quickly and in eventfully.</p>
<p>@notrichenough, S’s oral surgeon recommended placing the steeped tea bags directly on the affected area and biting down gently if still bleeding several (4?) hours after the surgery. I made sure the tea bags were were warm-not hot. I agree with whoever above said to get extra gauze from the Dr. We went through what they had provided within hours. I was lucky we had extra at home.</p>
<p>Laughed out loud over this reaction
<a href=“Two Tongues? After Wisdom Teeth Removal - YouTube”>Two Tongues? After Wisdom Teeth Removal - YouTube;
<p>Tannic acid in the tea bags helps stop the bleeding after extractions if biting on the plain gauze is not working well. Folk remedy from previous centuries that still works today.</p>
<p>A common mistake is using the gauze for hours after the extractions. After around 2 hours, you are basically pulling off part of the clotted blood and restarting the bleeding each time. Oozing is to be expected; gushing is not. A warm, wet Lipton tea bag is a good test: bite on it for about 5-10 minutes, remove, and using a flashlight, try to watch the socket. No red blood flowing, no more gauze.</p>
<p>Talking a lot with the gauze in irritates the clot and can cause continued bleeding (and subsequent swelling).</p>
<p>Got one of my wisdom teeth yanked today and am definitely using some of the things in this thread–although so far (fingers crossed) no pain! </p>
<p>Anyone happen to know how you know if you dislodged the blood clot, however? I haven’t a clue what I should look for.</p>
<p>I believe the sign will be that it hurts–like the dickens if you dislodge the clot and have dry socket. Crossing my fingers it doesn’t happen to anyone on this site or anyone you care about. D had a friend who had dry socket and was MISERABLE for about a month!</p>
<p>Back decades ago when I had mine pulled, we weren’t warned about dry socket and I started eating solid foods within 24-48 hours after the tooth was pulled. We kept D on smoothies in bowl and cups with plastic spoons when she got her extractions. Can’t remember what we did for S, because it was longer ago. He didn’t have any friends who developed dry socket so we weren’t as concerned about that (had not heard of it personally).</p>
<p>Our FEHB BCBS insurance plan covered about 50% of some costs and 70% of other dental costs. We don’t have dental coverage as a separate policy. We did have to pay for D’s anesthesia separately and for some reason it wasn’t covered.</p>
<p>I actually ate solid foods earlier today, since I can chew on the opposite side–and wanted something in my stomach in case I had to move to the stronger pain meds when the numbness wore off. Just finished off some cut up chicken nuggets and mushy french fries. I took a peek to check and make sure no food got in and didn’t notice any big blood clot, but I haven’t had any substantial bleeding either (which to me seems like would happen if it dislodged the day of surgery)–hence why I am a little nervous</p>